New Zealand "Modfather" Ray Columbus has been included on a new British 3-CD box set of 1960s Mod music.

The 80-song collection Keep Lookin' features Yo Yo, We Want A Beat, and I'm Good For You as well as a 48-page booklet.

Columbus, best known for the 60s hit, She's a Mod, is suffering from an immune-deficiency disorder thought to have been brought on by the heavy medication he has been on for a raft of health issues.

He had a heart attack in 2004 while standing as a candidate in Auckland local body elections and had to withdraw. A stroke seven years ago left him paralysed on much of his right side.

His 54-year music career produced 14 hits and he toured with stars including The Rolling Stones and Roy Orbison.Columbus became the first pop star to be awarded an Order of the British Empire for services to New Zealand in 1974.